SEX offender Thomas Anthony Pollock has been banned from associating with any child under the age of 18 or from allowing them into his home.

The sex offender order, which is in addition to the sex offender register, was imposed by magistrates at Burnley on Pollock, 59, after a two day hearing.

Pollock served a jail sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a boy at a time when both lived in Accrington. Pollock has also lived in Burnley and now lives in the Brierfield area of Pendle.

He contested the application made by the Chief Constable of Lancashire at a civil hearing at Burnley magistrates court and the conditions which were said to be Draconian and against his Human Rights.

Magistrates heard evidence of his friendship with a number of teenage boys. They accepted evidence from the boys that the relationship was friendship and not sexual and said they accepted that evidence.

But they also heard fears from police that the friendship was "grooming" and could lead to other things.

Pollock was told: "The boys gave evidence consistently and honestly and believed they were not at risk. They say nothing improper took place and that they believed he was innocent of the offence for which he was imprisoned.

"We are satisfied that what was talking place was the grooming process and if unchecked would end in sexual abuse."

They made an order prohibiting him from association either directly or through a third party with anyone under 18 or allowing anyone under that age entering his dwelling.

He is also banned from changing address without informing local police -- a two-week gap can occur under the sex offenders' register rules -- and also to inform police of any trip abroad -- sex register regulations only cover trips of seven days or more.